The Radio Boys Rescue the Lost Alaska Expedition Part 18

MacDonald nodded approval, spat in the fire, then turned again to Mr.

Hampton.

"Such being the case," he said, "when you talk to Captain Jameson over that there contraption, just tell him I'm on my way in."

"What?"

"Sure. Think d.i.c.k and me would sit here with three no-account breeds on our hands and wait for help from four hundred miles away to arrive? No.

We'll take 'em in."

"But two of you, alone, and with three prisoners on your hands!"

"Nothing to that. Once I brought in four single-handed. Never thought of calling for help except I had luck enough to capture Lupo and more of his gang."

Mr. Hampton looked astounded. He turned to d.i.c.k.

"But how about you, d.i.c.k?"

"If MacDonald says so, I'm game."

"Knew you would be," said MacDonald. "That's settled. Now call Captain Jameson, and let's get goin'. You want to be on your way, and we may as well be on ours."

"But, MacDonald," said Mr. Hampton, trying one last protest, "suppose Lupo and the remainder of his gang see you start, and follow and attack you. What then?"

"Huh." MacDonald's eyes snapped. "Couldn't ask for no better luck. I'd get a shot at him then."

Farnum interrupted at this stage.

"It's no use trying to stop him and d.i.c.k," he said. "I know d.i.c.k and I know these men of the Mounted. They're holy terrors. And the pair of them will get away with it, too."

Mr. Hampton knew when he was beaten, and abandoned his protests. Captain Jameson once more was called by wireless, and given a full account of what had occurred. He approved MacDonald's scheme and promised there would be a position on the Force for d.i.c.k when he arrived.

"Well, d.i.c.k," said Mr. Hampton, after all arrangements were made for departure, and he led him aside, "I've been pleased, indeed, with your ready help and cheerfulness on the trip. I hate to part company with you. Here is a check for the full sum I promised you for this Summer's work. And here in addition is something to remember me by."

Into d.i.c.k's unwilling hand he pressed a handsome gold watch which he himself had worn for some years.

"Oh, Mr. Hampton, this is too good for a rough fellow like me to carry,"

protested d.i.c.k.

"Now, now, nonsense," said Mr. Hampton. "Nothing is too good for you, old man. I want you to keep that to remember me by."

"I don't need the watch for that, sir," said d.i.c.k gruffly, sticking it in his pocket nevertheless.

CHAPTER XVI.-REINDEER SIGHTED.

The big canoe which d.i.c.k and Art had captured from the Indians was turned over to MacDonald. It was easily capable of transporting five-the three prisoners, MacDonald and d.i.c.k. With the two latter in the bow and stern respectively, and the prisoners unarmed between, there was little danger so long as MacDonald and d.i.c.k maintained reasonable watchfulness.

Two of the half-breeds were cowed and broken in spirit, moreover, while Long Tom was _hors de combat_ on account of the injury to his arm, and would be for some time to come. MacDonald's skin kayak was to be towed behind, containing his slender outfit, and one of the prisoners could carry the whole business alone at portages.

MacDonald had entered the lake by a considerable stream flowing into it from the southwest, and not the stream down which the Hampton party had come. He set out for this other stream before the others quit the island, with the intention of retracing his steps into the wilderness in large measure. This would facilitate his travel. Farther to the south, he said, was a large river which could be reached by a ten-mile portage, and down which they could travel for many miles.

"If you ever want to join the Mounted," he said to Bob, to whom he had taken a great fancy, "let me know. I'll fix it for you."

Bob laughed, but he was young enough to be flattered by the sincere compliment.

"I may take you up on that some day," he said. "Who knows?"

Then MacDonald stepped into the canoe, goodbyes were said, and the craft shot away.

"There go a couple of good men," commented Farnum, as under the powerful strokes of the paddles the canoe drew swiftly down the lake.

"One good man, anyhow," said Art, who overheard the observation. "Ol'

d.i.c.k an' me had a li'l talk. I'm going to join up with the Mounted, too, when we git back. We been pals fifteen year."

"Fifteen years," exclaimed Frank. "In the wilderness all that time?"

Art nodded absently, his eyes on the retreating canoe.

"Sure," said Art. "It's home to us. Ain't no wilderness. Cities is the real wilderness. d.i.c.k an' me's been separated now and then, like now, but we always come together agin. I expect when we git to be old men like some prospectors I seen we'll be together all the time, fightin'

and jawin' each other, but ready to tear the heart out o' anybody that jumps one of us."

"It's a wonder d.i.c.k went off with MacDonald like he did, in that case,"

said Jack.

"Huh. Somebody had to go. He knew we'd meet agin."

Art said no more, but turned away to busy himself with the outfit.

Presently everything was in readiness for departure and then the two remaining canoes, with the outfit distributed between them, the three boys in one and the three men in the other, started up the lake in the opposite direction from that taken by MacDonald and d.i.c.k. Previously, when in pursuit of Lupo, Mr. Hampton had discovered the lake was of so considerable extent that, despite their hours of travel up the side, they had been unable to discern the farther end. In fact, the lake broadened out considerably some distance beyond the island. It was his intention, inasmuch as it followed the general northeastward direction they would pursue, to stick to it as long as possible. He believed there would be some stream at the farther end sufficiently large to float their canoes.

In this he was not mistaken, for after four hours of steady paddling, they discerned the outlet of a stream of considerable width, quartered across the lake and entered it. Almost immediately Jack called to his father, in surprise:

"Dad! Oh, Dad! This stream flows out of the lake; not into it. Do you notice?"

The leading canoe slowed up while the boys approached.

"It certainly does, Jack," said his father. "What do you make of it, Farnum?"

The latter shook his head, puzzled.

"I don't know," he said. "You must remember this is unexplored country.

We're liable to find anything here. But, maybe--"

"What?"

"I don't know. We're near the Coppermine, aren't we, Art?"